Things to do in London

London is full of fabulous and unusual locations – from quirky museums and neighbourhood churches with fascinating histories to unusual galleries and peaceful gardens. Discover some of the top things to do in London.

Planning a visit to the English capital? London is full of world-famous landmarks, popular attractions and historic buildings, from Westminster Abbey and Tower Bridge to the London Eye and more. Find out our top picks of Things to Do in London with your London Explorer Pass.

The London Eye should be the number one stop on any London visitor’s itinerary. As your capsule gently rises above the River Thames, London’s iconic landmarks come into view. Collect a 360˚ map from the visitors’ centre in County Hall when you get your tickets, so you can pick out the places of interest on the skyline. For a truly special experience, you can hire private capsules with champagne, out-of-hours and dining experience options.

The London Underground might be the easiest way to get around, but the best way to see all the sights is to choose a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. The Big Bus tour operates five bus routes around London which, between them, take in more than 60 tourist stops – from Buckingham Palace to the Museum Quarter to Madame Tussauds. It’s a great way to get round several central London locations in one day, especially great if you have kids in your party – your little ones will love the view from the top deck of the bus.

Westminster Abbey’s beautiful Gothic towers are a UNESCO world heritage site and one of London’s most visited landmarks. It is here that all the Kings and Queens of England have been crowned since 1066 – including Britain’s current queen Elizabeth II. The abbey is the final resting place of many British luminaries, including Queen Elizabeth I, Charles Darwin, Geoffrey Chaucer and Charles Dickens as well home to some wonderful stained glass, a huge collection of sculpture and the tranquil cloister garden.

St Paul’s is a must-see destination for London visitors. If you’re travelling with children, they will love the Mary Poppins references – it's on St. Paul's steps that the much-loved song “Feed the birds” was filmed in the movie. Take them up to the whispering gallery where you can share secrets across the huge domed ceiling by whispering into the plaster walls. St Paul’s was the venue for the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 and it doesn’t disappoint in terms of regal grandeur – visit at Evensong when the choir sing daily to experience the cathedral at its spine-tingling best.

If you have the time to venture out of the city centre, Hampton Court Palace is well worth the excursion. This grand estate is the former home of the flamboyant King Henry VIII. Famed for its maze and beautiful gardens, this home is a royal palace on a grand scale. Take the guided tour and you’ll be escorted around the maze-like corridors, Tudor kitchens and grand halls to tales of palace gossip and royal intrigue. On sunny days, if you have time, head to the River Thames which flows past the palace gardens. Here, you can hire a little wooden boat and pass a pleasurable afternoon rowing on the Thames or board a river bus to take you back into the city.

This iconic wax museum was originally created by Anna Maria Tussaud, a skilled artist in wax figurines, in 1836. She based her first permanent collection in the UK on Baker Street in London – known as the home of fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. Today, Madame Tussauds is located just around the corner from Baker Street on York Terrace and still features some of Marie Tussaud’s original work. It is, quite possibly, the best selfie-spot in London – where else can you take your picture with David Beckham, Benedict Cumberbatch and Adele?

The London Dungeon is a fun way to explore some of London’s most gruesome histories. Prepare for a blood-chilling thrill of an adventure, with interactive exhibits, rides and live character performances. Featured stories include the tale of a plague doctor, notorious barbershop murderer Sweeney Todd and latter-day anti-establishment conspiracist Guy Fawkes.

Below the London Eye, in the impressive Edwardian Baroque edifice of County Hall, the London Aquarium is home to sharks, penguins, sea turtles, jellyfish and many, many beautiful fish. Wander through the glass tunnels to see these beautiful creatures close up. Enjoy live family-friendly talks and lectures throughout the day. And get hands-on with starfish, sea cucumbers and sea anemones in the rock pool.

The River Thames runs through the heart of London, with many important landmarks and historically significant buildings and memorials along its banks. Taking a river cruise is a fun way to take in some of the sights, while giving tired legs a rest. While the Thames Clippers service can zip you up and down river quickly if you want to get around, the London Eye River Cruise takes things at a gentler pace. The on-board commentary is a real bonus if you are new to the city, pointing out landmarks like Shakespeare's Globe, Tower Bridge, Tate Modern and HMS Belfast.

Crossing Tower Bridge from the Tower of London over to London’s City Hall is an exciting – and often breezy – adventure. If you’ve spent the morning taking selfies with Beefeaters and admiring the crown jewels in the Tower, heading over the other side of the river will offer up plenty of spots for lunch. But did you know you can cross the water over the top tier of the bridge? These sky-scraping walkways are home to the Tower Bridge exhibition, where you can learn about the bridge’s history, distinctive design and Victorian engine rooms. Stroll along the exhibition’s glass walkway 42m above the river for panoramic views of the city.

These are the top things to do in London, as visited by users of the London Explorer Pass. As well as these fab London adventures, the London Explorer Pass offers free and discounted admissions to many more London landmarks. Check out the full London Attraction list here.

Explorer Pass Benefits

Visit 3, 5 or 7 attractions from 20 top London sights, landmarks and tours.

TOP ATTRACTIONS like The Coca-Cola London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Madame Tussauds & more.

TAKE YOUR TIME You have 30 days to use your pass.

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